Why are there so many U.S. diplomats working in Russian Federation?

The new measures appear to have convinced Moscow that there will be no quick improvement in ties with the United States despite Trump pledging better relations during his campaign.

The new USA sanctions on Russian Federation were overwhelmingly approved by both houses of Congress despite objections from the White House.

"Right now we're reviewing our options and when we have something to say on it, we'll let you know", Sanders said Monday.

Overwhelming bipartisan support for the bill would not only override a presidential veto, but also portray Mr Trump as a Moscow-sympathiser. It said it is ordering the U.S. Embassy to limit the number of embassy and consular employees in the country to 455 in response to the U.S. Senate's approval of a new package of sanctions.

Pence's hopeful message was met almost simultaneously with news the Russian Federation government was kicking American diplomats out of the country.

The Postadds that "Putin should not expect the West to suddenly forgive or forget his bad choices".

Russia's Foreign Ministry said if the USA forces it to cut diplomatic staff in the states, Russian Federation will respond in kind.

In December, when Putin didn't immediately retaliate for President Obama's expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats and his closing of two compounds allegedly used for espionage, then-President-elect Trump tweeted: "Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!"

Two killed in stampede at football match in South Africa
The two sides are contesting the annual Carling Black Label Cup that heralds the start of the South African soccer season. Could better security have prevented the stampede? "What happened to at FNB Stadium is very unfortunate", Jordaan added.

The row between the United States and Russian Federation also signalled a major shift in tone from a summit between Trump and Putin earlier this month, which showed prospects of warmer ties.

It's not clear how many Americans will be affected by Putin's order.

Here's a look at what the United States sanctions bill does and Russia's response to the bill. "They had hoped for some kind of a reset under President Trump and they haven't seen that", said Steven Pifer, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former ambassador to Ukraine.

"More than a thousand people were working and are still working" at the USA embassy and consulates, Putin said in an interview with Rossia-24 television.

Moscow has rejected the conclusion of the US intelligence community that Putin personally directed Moscow's interference in the election.

Russian Federation lacks the means to strike back in a way that would have a similar impact on the USA economy, Pifer said - by choking off significant revenue streams in the finance or energy sectors, for example. Additionally, one does not have to look for a compromise: Russian Federation either has to accept what the U.S. says about certain events and their consequences or Russian Federation is declared an enemy.

"At this point in time, I'm just not sure", Pifer said.

The story of the USA sanctions showed that the Kremlin no able to make any dvuhhodovki.